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As a student the author enjoyed the power and grace of kata but was frustrated by the lack of intelligent explanation available for the use of the techniques. The bunkai that resembled the kata was awkward and implausible while the bunkai that seemed effective looked nothing like the actual movements in the kata. Convinced that the movements must have had some form of combat effectiveness originally, he decided to study, cross train and look out of the box himself to find an answer, an answer that led to the drills in this book. This book takes the 5 Heian Kata and breaks them down into progressively dynamic training and sparring drills to teach students how to effectively counter the habitual acts of street violence. The drills all initiate from movements that simulate the body's natural primal and protective flinch responses to attacks, and teach students how to close and create distance while moving freely between ballistic and grappling techniques incorporating close range striking, trapping, throwing, unbalancing and locking movements that mirror the forms. Each drill is clearly illustrated with photos and explanatory text. The drills interlink so that students quickly find themselves able to move freely from one Kata to another mid attack and defence to respond to the scenario created by their partner. The book also contains a detailed analysis of technique effectiveness, an outline of the history of the forms and a discussion of the nature of violent crime and its implications for martial arts practice. This book shows how to change kata from a sterile solo exercise into a dynamic form that belongs at the heart of your training. Whether you are interested in competition fighting or want to learn effective self defence, the drills in this book will improve your understanding of kata, timing, distance and repertoire. Heian Flow System will not only change the way you perceive these 'training' forms, but also the way you approach all kata. The author has trained in several martial arts and presently holds instructor grades in four separate systems. In addition to martial arts classes he has taught in secondary education, university and the military. His research training as a Doctor of History has always focused his approach to Karate; searching for effective answers to the question of bunkai. He is known for his practical approach to Karate training through his regular column in Traditional Karate Magazine and has taught seminars across the UK and in the USA. In addition to his writing and research he works as a senior officer in the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve Training Branch and teaches seminars across the UK between running two dedicated Personal Safety clubs in Buckinghamshire, England.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First of all, let me say that this is a well considered book. I haven't attended any seminars by John, but I have attended seminars by Iain Abertheny, and having read the book they are in the same ball-park: well considered views of the Heian katas with practical applications in mind.
First of all the book itself. It seems to have been published by B&W laser printer, meaning that the photographs - which ought to be in colour - are in B&W, and the low resolution printing does sometimes make it hard to see what exactly is going on.
The first thing I liked was John's choice to use the better translation of "receiver" for "uke" throughout. It is a better choice, but how refreshing to hear a shuto uke called a "knife hand receiver" rather than a "knife hand block"; after all, it makes the oyo more understandable once you think in those terms. If only our karate clubs were to do the same...
The text starts with the usual introduction to HAOV, though with some UK-centric statistics that are missing from the other works that I have seen in this style - specifically Iain Abernethy's "Bunkai Jutsu", and Kane and Wilder's "The Way of Kata. It then moves on to diagramming the vital points - without the detail of Ashley Croft's "Secret Karate" - before moving into application for each of the Heian katas.
The oyo given are, without a doubt, practical, sensible, and useful. There is no "he does that so you do that then he does this" about it; instead we have the heart of karate presented - the obtaining of advantage against an aggressor, and then the use of that advantage to kick the **** out of them, even if our initial attempts to kick the **** out if them fail.
All in all this has been an invaluable addition to my bookcase. Any book of application that can make you think again about the situations that are being referred to, and the programmed responses to those situations, is to be praised. John Titchen has produced an admirable work full of great ideas, and one that I will refer back to time after time. After the dark days of ridiculous bunkai, this is another invaluable addition to the library of any karateka who wants to know the point of their art. It is part of the modern movement of taking karate back to its real roots in practical hard core violence, and - along with the other books that I have mentioned - should be required reading for any serious study of the art.
First of all the book itself. It seems to have been published by B&W laser printer, meaning that the photographs - which ought to be in colour - are in B&W, and the low resolution printing does sometimes make it hard to see what exactly is going on.
The first thing I liked was John's choice to use the better translation of "receiver" for "uke" throughout. It is a better choice, but how refreshing to hear a shuto uke called a "knife hand receiver" rather than a "knife hand block"; after all, it makes the oyo more understandable once you think in those terms. If only our karate clubs were to do the same...
The text starts with the usual introduction to HAOV, though with some UK-centric statistics that are missing from the other works that I have seen in this style - specifically Iain Abernethy's "Bunkai Jutsu", and Kane and Wilder's "The Way of Kata. It then moves on to diagramming the vital points - without the detail of Ashley Croft's "Secret Karate" - before moving into application for each of the Heian katas.
The oyo given are, without a doubt, practical, sensible, and useful. There is no "he does that so you do that then he does this" about it; instead we have the heart of karate presented - the obtaining of advantage against an aggressor, and then the use of that advantage to kick the **** out of them, even if our initial attempts to kick the **** out if them fail.
All in all this has been an invaluable addition to my bookcase. Any book of application that can make you think again about the situations that are being referred to, and the programmed responses to those situations, is to be praised. John Titchen has produced an admirable work full of great ideas, and one that I will refer back to time after time. After the dark days of ridiculous bunkai, this is another invaluable addition to the library of any karateka who wants to know the point of their art. It is part of the modern movement of taking karate back to its real roots in practical hard core violence, and - along with the other books that I have mentioned - should be required reading for any serious study of the art.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
First I need to say that John is a friend of mine and maybe I've been a bit harsh with three stars as I didn't want to let my personal admiration for John as a person and an instructor cloud my judgment of this book.
Secondly I am a martial artist with over thirty seven years of martial arts experience and obviously my experience both gives me a framework from which to write this review but also some personal prejudices.
Most of the problems with the book (quality of photographs, calling protagonists ''white' and 'BLUE' - when the photos are in black and white) are, I would say, problems with the editing and the publisher's production of the book.
The only criticism that I would lay on the author is the inclusion of details of pressure point locations using the Chinese Meridian theory which I feel are actually unnecessary as this book would (I think) have been improved with less (or no) mention of pressure points.
NOW THE GOOD NEWS - If you are an instructor of ANY martial art that uses punching and kicking you can learn from this book how to either use an excellent structured approach to self defence (John's Flow Drills) or indeed use his methodology within your own art to develop similar drills.
If you are a Karate student with (let's say) three or more years experience, an open mind, and willing training partners, then again you can benefit from this book and learn a useful and incremental set of drills.
If you are a Karate beginner (less than three years experience) it MAY be a useful tool, although I think the help of a good instructor who was willing to work with you through the book would be advantageous.
In conclusion, personally I am very happy to own this book and will be using John's drills and training methodology within my own teaching practices.
Secondly I am a martial artist with over thirty seven years of martial arts experience and obviously my experience both gives me a framework from which to write this review but also some personal prejudices.
Most of the problems with the book (quality of photographs, calling protagonists ''white' and 'BLUE' - when the photos are in black and white) are, I would say, problems with the editing and the publisher's production of the book.
The only criticism that I would lay on the author is the inclusion of details of pressure point locations using the Chinese Meridian theory which I feel are actually unnecessary as this book would (I think) have been improved with less (or no) mention of pressure points.
NOW THE GOOD NEWS - If you are an instructor of ANY martial art that uses punching and kicking you can learn from this book how to either use an excellent structured approach to self defence (John's Flow Drills) or indeed use his methodology within your own art to develop similar drills.
If you are a Karate student with (let's say) three or more years experience, an open mind, and willing training partners, then again you can benefit from this book and learn a useful and incremental set of drills.
If you are a Karate beginner (less than three years experience) it MAY be a useful tool, although I think the help of a good instructor who was willing to work with you through the book would be advantageous.
In conclusion, personally I am very happy to own this book and will be using John's drills and training methodology within my own teaching practices.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Heian flow system is an invaluable resource for any Karateka looking to find usable techniques for Pinan/Heian series that actually resemble the solo kata.
Whilst the Kata used in this book are predominantly of the Shotokan style the drills contained within are easily translated into that of a different Karate style that practices the Heian or Pinan series as part of its system. The techniques themselves are easy to follow helped by the clear association of the pictures/techniques to the sequence in the kata. I also felt that the incorporation and explanation of possible vital points to attack in each drill added another layer of interest to my learning process.
Overall this a well researched and well written addition to the quest in finding an effective use for Kata (this system finds it!).
A highly recommended resource that all Karateka should have on their coffee table.
Whilst the Kata used in this book are predominantly of the Shotokan style the drills contained within are easily translated into that of a different Karate style that practices the Heian or Pinan series as part of its system. The techniques themselves are easy to follow helped by the clear association of the pictures/techniques to the sequence in the kata. I also felt that the incorporation and explanation of possible vital points to attack in each drill added another layer of interest to my learning process.
Overall this a well researched and well written addition to the quest in finding an effective use for Kata (this system finds it!).
A highly recommended resource that all Karateka should have on their coffee table.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The only good kata bunkai book on the market
As someone with a long-time interest in karate I've frequently been tempted into buying books on kata applications (many of them by famous names in the martial arts world). Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2008 by Killbetter
Heian flow system
Having briefly trained with john at a seminar in 06 i was looking forward to the release of his book , and it didn't disappoint. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2008 by M. L. Hill
Best book on Heian kata bunkai ever read
"Heian Flow System" is the first book that really
covers all the bunkai of all 5 Heian kata in a realistic way. Read more
covers all the bunkai of all 5 Heian kata in a realistic way. Read more
Published on 16 Oct 2007 by Freddy Laseure
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